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Several hundred Brooklynites spent Saturday walking in circles — and for a good reason!

The 13th annual Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst-Dyker Heights Relay for Life — a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society — had 54 self-organized teams doing a continuous circuit on Fort Hamilton High School’s track along Narrows Avenue between 83rd and 85th streets on as part of a day of activities that raised an estimated $180,000 to help combat the disease, making 2012 the most successful year in the event’s history, according to special events director Nancy Colt.

“The response this year was really outstanding,” Colt said. “It’s really become a neighborhood event, it really, really has.”

Colt credits teachers at nearby schools for raising awareness about the event, tipping her hat to instructors at Christa McAuliffe, William T. Sampson, Bay View, Ovington, Dyker, Shallow, Fort Hamilton High, Xaverian, and Bishop Kearney for making the day what it was.

“All the important schools in the neighborhood really, really got behind us, and that’s what made the difference,” she said.

Colt added that she thinks the relay has become so successful because it resonates with so many people.

“I think everybody knows somebody who’s been affected by cancer, and I think that’s what causes so many people to come out,” said Colt.